Free tax prep sites throughout the state

Thursday

Feb 14, 2013 at 3:15 AM

ROCHESTER — Tax season is here and United Way and Citizens Bank have partnered with the IRS and AARP to offer free tax preparation from Feb. 1 through April 15. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is generously underwritten by a $75,000 grant from Citizens Bank Foundation.

VITA programs help families and individuals with low-to-moderate incomes. Trained volunteer tax preparers help individuals complete and electronically file their returns for free while also explaining any special credits and deductions available and how to claim them including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was created to reduce the tax burden on lower-income workers and to supplement their wages. The credit can increase an eligible family’s refund by as much as 20 percent, an important step in helping them to become more financially secure.

“Last year across New Hampshire and Vermont returns submitted through Granite United Way VITA partner sites amounted to over $5.7 million in income tax refunds for working families and individuals in our community, keeping those dollars in the local economy,” said Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of Granite United Way.

With support from Citizens Bank Foundation, United Way will help more families improve their financial stability during tough economic times. Each year we have seen increased interest in this program and with the multitude of changes in our tax system this year this program is inherently even more valuable. “This is a stepping off point by United Way to increase financial literacy,” according to Tufts.

The partnership with Citizen Bank Foundation will allow each United Way in the state to increase local efforts to improve individual and family financial stability. In addition to United Way’s focus on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is a growing commitment to inform and educate participants about good financial decision making.

“Citizens Bank is committed to improving financial literacy across our communities and this partnership with United Way was a natural fit for our mission,” said Joseph Carelli, president of Citizens Bank, New Hampshire and Vermont. “The VITA program is an opportunity for us to help individuals with their tax preparation and put resources right back in the pockets of families throughout this region.”

VITA sites will be open in Salem, Manchester, Concord, Peterborough, Franklin, Pittsfield, Laconia, Littleton, Portsmouth, Rochester and the Upper Valley. For additional information or to schedule an appointment at a local VITA site, please dial 2-1-1.